MELBOURBE, November 26. LEISEL Jones came within 0.11 of a second of recapturing the world record over 100m breaststroke set by American Tara Kirk in March this year after Jones had previously set the global standard of 1:05.09 at this meet last year.

Jones, who holds the WR over the long course distance, clocked 1:04.90 to lower her own Aussie record by 0.19 of a second. World champion Brooke Hanson pulled out of the event due to a back injury leaving the minor places to fellow Aussies Sarah Kasoulis (1:06.43) and Jade Edmistone (1:06.66).

South African Ryk Neethling splashed a very hot 46.94 in the 100m freestyle (10th all-time global performance) making up for a slow start to flip first at the 50 in 22.38 and comfortably hold off the American duo of short course world champion Jason Lezak (47.59) and Nick Brunelli (47.77). The Olympic gold medalist clocked the fastest time of the 2004-05 season to break the Commonwealth record held by Aussie Ashley Callus set when he won the WSC Champs in Moscow in 2002.

With just one race during which to recover, Neethling continued his winning form, taking out the 100m Individual Medley in 53.01, lowering the Commonwealth record he set in Durban last weekend by 0.12 of a second in a time that would have given him the bronze medal at the WSC Champs in Indianapolis. American Nick Brunelli continued his good form taking second place with a fast final leg well behind the South African in 54.82.

Promising 15-year-old Aussie, Stephanie Williams, had an impressive introduction to a World Cup meet when she destroyed the competition, clocking a thirteen second PR to win the 800m freestyle in 8:19.06 (12th all-time global performer). Williams, who skipped the Olympic Trials in this event because it clashed with the 200m backstroke, proved tonight that perhaps distance freestyle may well be the path for her to follow.

Williams, who won the 2003 national short course title in the 200m backstroke as a 13-year-old with a PR of 2:08.40, amazingly had finished only seventh in that event here tonight in 2:12.10 just two races earlier.

In the 800, Williams easily beat Aussie Olympians Sarah Paton (8:28.76) and Linda Mackenzie (8:28.89) to the wall in a time that placed her third fastest Aussie all-time over the distance — a time that would have taken the silver medal in Indianapolis last month. Williams had only this month made a move to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra with her family from the city of Newcastle (two hours North of Sydney).

Two Russian visitors took events tonight: Dual world champ Yuri Prilukov took the 400m title in 3:44.23 to add to his win in Durban last weekend, and Nikolay Skvortsov had an impressive win over the five-times world champ Brit, James Hickman, 1:53.44 to 1:53.85.

Aussie sprint star Libby Lenton won an impressive double: The 100m free (53.58) and 50m fly (26.57), on both occasions edging out fellow Olympic gold medalist Alice Mills (53.69 and 26.62). Olympic champion Jodie Henry confirmed her preference for the long course pool when she just failed to qualify for the final of the 100m free.

Local hero Matt Welsh (23.86) edged out Americans Randall Bal (24.04) and Aaron Peirsol (24.50) in the 50m backstroke in his home pool.